One of the biggest video game projects to have been cancelled in 2025 was Perfect Dark. Announced all the way back in 2020 as a reboot to the classic series, the title struggled with development issues, lay-offs, turnover and much more. That said, up until the game’s surprise cancellation earlier this year, Perfect Dark seemed to be in a much more stable state, with the game’s lead actor now weighing in on the matter.
In an interview conducted by publication TheGamer, Alix Wilton-Regan (the VA for Joanna Dark) spoke on the ill-fated Perfect Dark reboot and their reaction to the news, stating:
“I was as shocked, surprised, and devastated as everyone else was when the funding was pulled, and the studio was closed. I did not see it coming. I was absolutely blindsided when the project was defunded.”
As mentioned, Perfect Dark had been in varying states of development between its announcement in 2020 and cancellation in 2025. According to Wilton-Regan however the project seemed to be finally coming together, revealing:
“We were basically recording bits and bobs throughout '23. We were also doing lots of performance capture for it in '24, and we were even recording more stuff for it in '25. To my knowledge, we were pretty far along. I'd done entire chapters of this universe,” adding that the project had “delivered several milestones that the client was really happy with.”
Based on this, it is quite clear that Microsoft’s decision to cancel Perfect Dark (alongside other in-development projects) was a rather impulsive one which took seemingly everyone by surprise. It remains a shame that we will never see the fruits of The Initiative’s half-a-decade worth of work.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the whole Perfect Dark situation? Why did Microsoft cancel the game? Should they have given the developers a heads-up? Let us know down below.
The launch of the Steam Deck back in 2022 helped to usher in a new age of PC gaming handhelds. While Valve is shying away from releasing a new version every year, the arrival of the Steam Deck OLED in late 2023 did make the original LCD model feel somewhat outdated. Valve continued to sell both models at the same time, but only the 256GB variant of the LCD Deck was kept available. Finally however, the LCD Steam Deck is being fully discontinued.
In going to the official store page for the Steam Deck, 3 models of the handheld can be purchased: the 256GB LCD model; 512GB OLED model and the 1TB OLED model.
That said, those wanting to purchase the LCD variant are now being met with a message from Valve, which states: “Note: We are no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model. Once sold out, it will no longer be available.”
While the LCD Steam Deck did serve well as the cheapest version of the handheld, its drawbacks in comparison to the refreshed OLED model made it a tougher sell as time progressed – with the latter introducing a far better display with HDR; higher refresh rates; improved WIFI; a bigger battery and more.
Still, if you were wanting to get your hands on an LCD Steam Deck, now is your last chance to do so.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the LCD Steam Deck compared to the OLED model? Is it worth the sacrifices? When do you expect we’ll get a proper Steam Deck 2? Let us know down below.
Today we’re taking a look at the ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB, a compact micro-ATX case that puts aesthetics front and centre with its curved glass design and minimalist styling. On paper, ASUS is pitching this as a modern airflow-focused chassis, but as always, what really matters is how it performs once the panels are on and the system is under load. We’ll be breaking down build quality, airflow design, thermals and noise to see whether the AP202 delivers out-of-the-box, or whether it needs a bit of user intervention to reach its full potential.
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:50 Overview and pricing
01:53 Tempered glass panel
02:32 The other panels
03:20 Front I/O Panel
03:40 Hardware support / Fans
04:55 Cooling support
05:44 Motherboard & GPU – space?
07:44 CPU air cooling support
07:52 Rear and right hand side
09:35 PSU / Drives
10:30 Floor of the case / Accessories
11:27 Thermal Performance and Noise Testing
14:43 Smoke Test Airflow Visualisation
17:11 James thoughts on airflow
19:53 Worth buying then?
ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB Features:
Curved tempered-glass panel — a single piece of tempered glass that wraps from front to side for a panoramic view of components.
Patented slot-vent airflow design — a lower-section slot vent provides optimised cooling, especially for the graphics card via optional floor-mounted fans.
Broad hardware compatibility — supports graphics cards up to 420 mm long, radiators up to 360 mm, ATX power supplies up to 200 mm, and CPU coolers up to 175 mm.
Integrated ARGB light band (with Aura Sync support) — ambient lighting that can be synced with other components for custom looks.
Specifications:
Case Type: Micro Tower
Dimensions (LxWxH): 441 × 236 × 460 mm
Materials: Steel, Plastic, Tempered Glass
Motherboard Support: Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Back-connect motherboard support: No
Expansion Slots: 4
Storage bays: 2 × 2.5″/3.5″ combo bay
Max GPU Length: 420mm
Max CPU Cooler Height: 175mm
PSU Type: ATX up to 200mm
Pre-installed Fans: 2 x 120mm(Side) 1 x 120mm (Rear)
Fan Support: 3 x 120 /2 x 140mm (Top) 1 x 120mm (Rear) 3 x 120mm (Bottom) 3 x 120mm
Radiator Support: 120/240/360mm(Top)
Dust Filters: Top/Bottom removable
Front I/O: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 1 × headphone / microphone
LCD Screen: N/A
Thermal Performance Testing
To simulate thermal demand we run the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress test simultaneously in a loop for 30 minutes to load the system fully. This gives the CPU and GPU enough time to reach constant steady-state temperature. With this data, we can compare how the system handles the thermal demand and measure peak noise levels.
Thermal performance is measured with the case in various configurations, such as the default, with the tempered glass left-hand side panel removed and with the front panel removed to see how these configurations affect the CPU and GPU temperature. During testing, only stock case fans are used unless otherwise specified. All water pumps are set to maximum RPM and fans are set to a custom RPM curve by the Motherboard software/BIOS.
All temperature measurements are presented as Deltas – meaning the ambient temperature has been deducted from the CPU temperature giving us a Delta. Data shown in the charts represent the average component temperature over the length of the test as measured by HWiNFO, and then the last 15 minutes of the data are calculated to get the average. The ambient temperature during thermal tests is between 19-20⁰C.
We tested the case thermals with a 360mm AIO as the exhaust at the top and in several different configurations. The default configuration shown in the charts is with the 360mm AIO at the top, 2 x 120mm side exhaust fans, 1 x 120mm exhaust fan and with all panels installed.
Looking at the data, it’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that ASUS has made a poor call with the AP202’s default fan configuration. Running the case in its out-of-the-box setup results in the worst CPU temperature of the group at 75 °C over ambient, which is a full 4 °C hotter than simply fitting side intake fans. ASUS’s decision to rely on negative pressure clearly doesn’t work particularly well in practice, at least for CPU cooling.
The GPU results also help explain why some fan additions don’t deliver the gains you might expect. In the default configuration, the GPU sits at a very reasonable 50 °C over ambient, and while side intake nudges this slightly higher, the changes are relatively minor overall. Where things become less effective is when bottom-mounted fans are introduced. The AP202 simply doesn’t leave much vertical clearance between the GPU and the floor of the case, so adding fans here risks partially obstructing airflow rather than improving it.
Noise Output
The noise results broadly mirror the thermal behaviour and once again highlight the weaknesses of the AP202’s default airflow setup. In its stock configuration, the case is the loudest on test at 42 dBA under load, suggesting the negative-pressure, exhaust-heavy approach is forcing the fans to work harder by pulling air through restrictive vents. Switching to side intake fans immediately improves matters, dropping load noise to 39 dBA, a clearly audible reduction, while idle noise remains unchanged at 36 dBA.
Adding bottom fans brings little benefit and actually pushes noise back up to 41–42 dBA. Limited clearance beneath the GPU restricts airflow, increasing turbulence rather than easing fan workload. The consistent 36 dBA idle result across all tests confirms that these differences only appear under load. Ultimately, the AP202 can be reasonably quiet, but only when the default airflow strategy is rethought and a side-intake-led configuration is used to let the fans operate more efficiently.
Closing Thoughts
The ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB leaves us with something of a mixed impression. From a build quality standpoint, there is very little to complain about. The materials feel solid, panel fitment is good, and the overall construction gives off an encouragingly premium feel that we would expect from the ASUS Prime lineup. Add in the curved tempered glass and tasteful ARGB lighting, and there’s no denying this is a good-looking case that will appeal to users who care just as much about aesthetics as they do performance.
Pricing is also sensible. The AP202 sits in a competitive part of the market, yet it manages to deliver a finish and visual presence that rivals more expensive options. For builders putting together a compact Micro-ATX system that they want on display, the AP202 certainly makes a strong first impression, and from a purely visual and tactile perspective, ASUS has largely delivered the goods. However the dimensions are not as compact as some mATX cases we have reviewed in 2025, being closer to compact ATX.
Unfortunately, where things start to fall apart is airflow. The factory configuration places all pre-installed fans set as exhaust, relying on negative pressure to pull air through a narrow gap around the power supply shroud. In practice, this simply doesn’t work well enough. Fresh airflow is restricted, CPU temperatures suffer as a result, and the design leaves little margin for higher-end or thermally demanding hardware. Combined with some awkward hardware compatibility limitations, this undermines what is otherwise a well-executed chassis.
Overall, the ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB is a case that looks better than it performs. With some airflow reworking and careful component selection, it can be made to work, but it shouldn’t require this level of user intervention at the price. The strong build quality, clean design and reasonable pricing save it from a real bollocking, but the cooling shortcomings are impossible to ignore. All in all, the AP202 earns Worth Considering status, it is a stylish and well-built case that ultimately falls short of being a clear recommendation.
The ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB is available to purchase now from OverclockersUK in either black or white priced at £109.99 HERE.
Pros:
Great build quality.
Supports large graphics cards and 360mm radiators.
Good cable management.
Cons:
Out of the box thermal performance is limited due to all exhaust default fan configuration.
Floor fan space is restricted.
mATX but no smaller than some compact ATX cases.
KitGuru Says: First impressions of the ASUS Prime AP202 ARGB are good, it's not until you dig a little deeper into the thermal performance that you see its shortcomings, which is a shame as it's a good-looking, well-built mATX case that's not too expensive.
Launching back in 2022, Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo 7 has received a ton of post-launch support in the years since, with the racing title adding all sorts from new vehicles to tracks; expanded modes; enemy AI and much more. Thanks to this consistent level of quality output, the team at Polyphony have revealed that GT7 continues to see over 2 million monthly active users – with the figure still growing.
In an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi during the Gran Turismo World Series finals (transcribed by GTPlanet), the series producer revealed that “Gran Turismo 7 has been released for several years, but still, the active users are currently over 2 million people, and the new users are increasing.”
While an impressive figure in its own right, this is especially notable as according to Yamauchi “The status that Gran Turismo 7 is in now is probably the best of any Gran Turismo titles that we’ve had in the past. We’ve never experienced this phenomenon before, and neither has PlayStation.”
As mentioned, Gran Turismo 7 has seen countless updates since the game’s initial launch in 2022, with the title receiving a suite of new tracks, vehicles, modes and the addition of an advanced ‘SophyAI’ rival driver.
Additionally, the game most recently saw its free Spec III update arrive alongside GT7’s first proper paid DLC, adding 50 new races, Sophy AI 3.0 and more.
When it comes to post launch support, Gran Turismo 7 has perhaps been one of the best first-party PlayStation titles in this regard. As such, it is encouraging to know that the game has continued to see new players checking it out. It will be interesting to see how long Polyphony Digital plan to support GT7.
KitGuru says: Are you one of the 2 million monthly players? Have you been pleased with GT7’s post-launch support? Let us know down below.
Well over a decade on from its initial release, Riot Games’ League of Legends remains more popular than ever, with the MOBA continuing to see over 100 million players on a monthly basis, spawning spin-offs, multimedia adaptations and much more. Though far from being an ugly title, its identity as a game from 2009 is becoming increasingly clear as the years go on. According to a new report however, Riot Games is currently working on a full overhaul to League of Legends.
Though exact details remain relatively light so far, this project is internally being labelled as ‘League Next’ and is said to be the game’s biggest update ever with a planned launch slated for 2027.
According to the report, this overhaul will include reimagining much of the game, such as its visual aesthetic; characters; UI and arenas – in order to “appeal to more new players.”
In the wake of this leak, Riot came out and confirmed that they are “overhauling the new player experience, so that once we're done, it should be the best time ever to get your friends into League.”
What exact plans are in the works right now, we will have to wait and see, but with League of Legends as an IP being bigger than ever, it makes sense that Riot would want to draw more players to the game that started it all.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this upcoming update? Will it draw in new players, or does League have too much of a reputation already? Let us know down below.
For Day 22 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar we have teamed up with DeepCool to give one winner a bundle of hardware. Today's prizes will include a DeepCool CH160 Plus PC case, an LM240 AIO liquid cooler and a PN850M power supply to go with it.
Th DeepCool CH160 Plus Case is a compact Micro‑ATX chassis built around airflow, with full mesh panels and support for a 240mm top‑mounted radiator. To go with it, the winner will also get a DeepCool LM series 240mm AIO liquid cooler, perfectly suited for use with this case. The last prize on the list is the PN850M PSU, which offers fully modular cables, 80Plus Gold efficiency and support for the latest ATX standards, so you'll be future-proofed for future generations of hardware.
How to Enter:
To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – What PC case have you got right now?
This competition is open in the UK, EU and USA.
The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 23rd, and a new competition will be announced for Day 23. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.
Terms and Conditions: This competition is open in the UK, EU and USA, starting at 11AM GMT on December 22nd and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 23rd. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.
KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 23!
GameMax has expanded its chassis portfolio today with the announcement of the Nex C56 and Nex C56 VC. Targeting the budget-conscious end of the dual-chamber market, these new mid-towers attempt to differentiate themselves from the sea of “fish tank” cases with an internal layout that angles the bottom intake fans.
Both chassis feature a “12° inclined airflow layout”, as described by GameMax. In practice, this means the fan mounts on the bottom and the sides of the motherboard tray are slightly angled towards the centre of the case, rather than sitting straight. The manufacturer claims this creates a more direct path for fresh air to reach hot components, specifically the graphics card, which is a common pain point in dual-chamber designs that often struggle with restrictive intake paths.
Two distinct variations are available at launch to cover different aesthetic preferences. The standard Nex C56 prioritises thermal performance, shipping with a fully mesh top panel to allow for heat exhaust and seven 120 mm ARGB PWM fans (space for up to 10x). This model is the more capable of the two in terms of raw cooling potential, supporting a “stack-effect” configuration. Alternatively, the Nex C56 VC (Vision Compact) goes all-in on the showroom aesthetic, replacing the mesh roof with a third tempered-glass panel and packing 4x 120 mm ARGB PWM fans (space for up to 7x). This creates a seamless “triple-glass” panoramic view, though builders will likely have to rely heavily on the side and bottom intakes to keep temperatures in check.
Despite being entry-level options, the specification sheet is surprisingly generous. Both cases support ATX motherboards and offer clearance for graphics cards up to 425 mm in length. Liquid cooling support is good, with space for dual 360 mm radiators, and the chassis includes a height-adjustable GPU anti-sag bracket, a feature often missing in this price bracket. Connectivity is handled via a front I/O panel featuring one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Storage options support up to 2x 3.5-inch HDDs and 2x 2.5-inch SSDs, hidden in the rear chamber.
GameMax is positioning these cases firmly in the entry-level segment, undercutting many competitors. The standard NEX C56 starts at just $69.99 for the black model, while the glass-topped NEX C56 VC is even cheaper at $59.99. Both versions are available in white for a $5 premium.
KitGuru says: These cases certainly look the part and the price tag is decent too.
Asus has been expanding its ProArt sub-brand from monitors and motherboards into a whole ecosystem for creators, and recently, that expansion has reached the cooling sector. The company has officially announced the ProArt PF120, a high-performance 120mm case fan designed to compete directly with the industry's heavyweights like the Phanteks T30 and Noctua NF-A12x25.
The ProArt PF120 removes the RGB lighting common in gaming builds, offering an industrial aesthetic in both black and white colourways. Asus has utilised Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) for the fan blades, a material choice prized for its rigidity and resistance to thermal expansion. This allows for extremely tight tolerances, with the PF120 boasting a blade-to-frame gap of just 0.5mm to minimise turbulence and maximise pressure efficiency.
The fan operates at a maximum speed of 3000 RPM, at which it delivers a rated static pressure of 7.3mmH2O and an airflow of 104.8 CFM. Unusually, the frame thickness is 28mm. For the motor, the fan uses a three-phase, six-pole design within a brass bearing shield to reduce vibration. To keep cable clutter to a minimum, the units feature a patented daisy-chain interconnect system that allows users to link adjacent fans, passing power and PWM signals through a single cable.
For users who don't need the 3000 RPM jet-engine experience, the three-pack includes an inline cable controller. This allows builders to cap the maximum speed at three distinct presets: 1400 RPM for silent builds, 2200 RPM for balanced use, or the full 3000 RPM for maximum thermal dissipation. Pricing and regional availability have not yet been confirmed, but given the LCP construction and performance claims, we expect these to sit at the premium end of the market.
KitGuru says: Asus isn't the first name that springs to mind for case fans, but that could change if these perform as well as their spec sheet suggests.
LG Display has released teasers showcasing its latest advancements in OLED technology. While the video focuses on highlighting the benefits of its “Primary RGB Tandem” tech, it has also confirmed that several long-rumoured panel specifications are now ready for mass production. With CES 2026 just around the corner, it appears the manufacturer is preparing to flood the market with new high-performance options for PC enthusiasts.
The most immediate takeaway from the new footage (via FlatPanelsHD) is a subtle rebranding. LG Display appears to be streamlining the nomenclature for its fourth-generation technology, dropping the clunky “Primary RGB Tandem” moniker in favour of the cleaner “Tandem WOLED”. This helps differentiate the stack from “Tandem OLED” solutions currently used in the automotive sector, which have a different structural composition. Interestingly, the video also makes a fleeting reference to “Primary RGB Tandem 2.0”, suggesting that an iterative update to the underlying tech is already in the pipeline for the coming year.
The other teaser explicitly references a 39-inch ultrawide panel sporting a “5K” resolution. Based on previous roadmap leaks, this is almost certainly the anticipated 5K2K (5120 x 2160) unit. At 39 inches, this resolution delivers a pixel density of approximately 142 PPI, bringing it in line with the text clarity of 32-inch 4K displays. Visuals from the clip also suggest a shift in display curvature. While LG's previous 34-inch and 39-inch gaming panels featured an aggressive 800R curve, this new flagship model appears to adopt a significantly gentler radius.
The manufacturer also nodded to the 27-inch 1440p panel with a native 540 Hz refresh rate (up to 720 Hz in Performance mode), a unit we have already seen deployed in the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W. Another confirmation taken from the teaser is the 27-inch 4K WOLED panel. This form factor has been dominated by Samsung Display's QD-OLED technology for some time, and LG's arrival in the WOLED stable marks a crucial catch-up move, offering consumers more choice in the 27-inch segment.
KitGuru says: Have you been waiting on new-generation panels before making the jump to an OLED display?
Bandai Namco has released the PC system requirements for the upcoming anime-styled action RPG, Code Vein 2. The specifications confirm that aspiring Revenants will need significantly more robust hardware than the 2019 original to play the new game when it launches on January 30th, 2026.
First teased during Summer Game Fest 2025, Code Vein 2 expands on the “anime Dark Souls” formula with a new narrative centred on time manipulation, larger environments, and a deepened partner system. While the first game was known for being relatively lightweight, the sequel demands a modern rig to hit 60 FPS, even at 1080p. Bandai Namco has set 16 GB of RAM and Windows 11 as the absolute floor for entry. This effectively leaves Windows 10 users behind, a trend we are seeing more frequently in 2025-2026 releases. Storage requirements have also ballooned to 70 GB, with the publisher strongly recommending an SSD.
For a 1080p experience at 30 FPS on Low settings, users will need at least an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 paired with a GTX 1660 Super or Radeon RX 5700. Those looking to push the visual fidelity to High at 60 FPS will need to step up to an RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 6800, alongside a beefier CPU like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the Intel Core i7-12700KF. The detailed system requirements can be found below:
Additional Notes: Estimated performance: SSD is recommended. 1080p/60fps with graphics settings at “High”.
Pre-orders are currently live on Steam, with Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Collector's Editions available. All pre-orders include a face paint and a weapon. The deluxe edition includes the base game with a 3-day early access, a custom outfit pack (3 costume sets and a weapon), and the upcoming DLC Mask of Idris. The Ultimate Edition adds to the Deluxe Edition with a digital mini artbook, a soundtrack, and a character costume set (6 costumes). Lastly, the Collector's Edition has everything included in the Ultimate Edition, plus an 18 cm figure, a 60-page artbook, and a metal case.
KitGuru says: Did you play the original Code Vein? Are you planning on getting the sequel? Is your PC ready for it?
Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winner today is Ashley Rees. If you missed out this time then keep an eye out as we have a new competition each day through to the end of the month. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.
For Day 21 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with ADATA to give one lucky winner a memory and SSD upgrade. Our prizes today include the ADATA XPG Lancer Neon RGB DDR5 32GB CL30 memory and XPG Mars 980 Blade 1TB SSD!
The ADATA Lancer Neon RGB DDR5 32GB CL30 kit contains high‑performance dual‑channel memory, offering fast DDR5 speeds, low‑latency CL30 operation, on‑die ECC, a power‑stabilising PMIC, and a distinctive RGB‑lit eco‑friendly heatsink. The Mars 980 Blade 1TB SSD is a PCIe 5.0 NVMe drive that delivers up to 14,000MB/s read and 13,000MB/s write speeds.
How to Enter:
To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – How much RAM is in your current system?
This competition is open worldwide.
The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 22nd, and a new competition will be announced for Day 22. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.
Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide, starting at 11AM GMT on December 21st and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 22nd. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.
KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 22!
Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winner today is Sean Tugman. If you missed out this time then keep an eye out as we have a new giveaway each day through to the end of the month. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.
For Day 20 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with Thermaltake to give one lucky reader a big prize bundle. The winner today will receive a Thermaltake View 290 TG case, along with a set of ARGB Sync fans, a ToughLiquid 360 EX AIO liquid cooler and a Toughpower GF A3 power supply, creating a perfect starting point for a new build.
The Thermaltake View 290 TG ARGB is a mid‑tower chassis built around a curved tempered‑glass front panel and a full glass side panel. Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF A3 PSU is an ATX 3.0–ready power supply designed for modern GPUs, while the Toughliquid 360 EX AIO fits neatly into the case’s top‑mount radiator support, offering ample thermal headroom for high‑performance CPUs. The ARGB‑sync fans will allow you to add some extra colour to your rig.
How to Enter:
To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – What was your most played game this year?
This competition is open worldwide.
The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 21st, and a new competition will be announced for Day 21. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.
Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide, starting at 11AM GMT on December 20th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 21st. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.
KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 21!
Square Enix has confirmed that its Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series has officially surpassed six million units sold worldwide. The collection, which revitalises the first six entries in the long-running RPG franchise, has proven a commercial success since its initial rollout in 2021, validating the publisher's strategy of preserving its back catalogue with uniform standards for modern platforms.
While Square Enix has often faced criticism for its handling of legacy ports, the Pixel Remaster initiative appears to have struck the right chord with gamers. The project involved a complete overhaul of Final Fantasy I through VI, unifying the visual style across the NES and SNES eras. The original pixel artist, Kazuko Shibuya, returned to redraw the 2D character sprites, ensuring the new assets remained faithful to the source material. On the audio front, legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu supervised and orchestrated arrangements of the soundtracks, replacing the synthesized tunes of the 8-bit and 16-bit hardware.
The sales figures shared by Square Enix reflect performance across a staggered release schedule spanning multiple years and ecosystems. The first wave hit Steam, iOS, and Android between July 2021 and February 2022. Following sustained demand from console players, the collection was released on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in April 2023. Most recently, the series landed on Xbox Series X|S and the Microsoft Store in 2024, making the collection playable natively on all major current-gen hardware.
Beyond the audiovisual facelift, the commercial longevity of the bundle is likely aided by the inclusion of modern convenience features that respect player time. Square Enix implemented toggle-based boosters, allowing users to adjust experience gain, automate combat, or disable random encounters entirely. These optional tools have made the notoriously grind-heavy 8-bit entries significantly more palatable for a contemporary audience accustomed to faster pacing.
KitGuru says: It took Square Enix a few tries to get these ports right, but the sales numbers don't lie. With six million copies sold, the Pixel Remaster series stands as one of the publisher's most successful attempts at leveraging its heritage.
This year's Game Awards has once again proven its dominance in the gaming calendar, setting a new viewership record for its 2025 broadcast. According to data reported by the organization, The Game Awards secured an estimated 171 million global live views, marking an 11% increase over the 154 million figure recorded in 2024.
Note that this figure represents strictly live tune-ins for the main show. It excludes the long tail of trailer views, social media clips, and viewership from premium partners like Prime Video. The data is aggregated across major open platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, TikTok Live, Steam, X, and Facebook, as well as major regional players such as JioHotstar in India and various Chinese streaming services.
Platform-specific metrics paint a picture of steady growth rather than explosive spikes. On YouTube, the official 4K stream saw an 8% rise in concurrent viewers, contributing to a total platform peak of over 2.4 million when co-streams are factored in. Twitch performance remained good as well, with peak concurrents climbing 5% to settle just above 1.8 million.
This trajectory continues a decade-long trend for the event, which has grown from a modest 1.9 million viewers in 2014 to the juggernaut it is today. The most significant historical leaps occurred in 2018, when it jumped to 26.2 million, and in 2020, when it hit 83 million. The 2025 numbers suggest that while the growth curve is flattening, the ceiling has not yet been reached.
KitGuru says: Did you watch the show? What platform were you watching it on?
Started all the way back in 1997, One Piece is one of the longest-running and most popular anime of all time – going stronger than ever after a quarter of a century. As with many successful anime franchises, One Piece has gotten plenty of video game adaptations over the years. One of its most popular series is the Pirate Warriors sub-franchise, with Bandai Namco now confirming that it has sold over 10 million copies.
Releasing a trailer thanking fans, publisher Bandai Namco confirmed that the One Piece Pirate Warriors series has sold a total of 10 million copies.
Beginning in 2012, One Piece Pirate Warriors is a musou-styled game similar in vein to the likes of Hyrule Warriors, Persona 5 Strikers and of course Dynasty Warriors. Since the first entry’s release, we’ve gotten 4 Pirate Warriors games in total with the most recent being Warriors 4 – arriving in 2020.
Still, with Pirate Warriors 4 alone selling 4 million copies – and the series as a whole having now exceeded 10 million – there is clearly plenty of demand for more video games set in the world of One Piece.
KitGuru says: What do you think of One Piece as a manga/anime? Are any of the games worth checking out? In your opinion, what’s the best video game of all time based on an anime? Let us know down below.
Recently, we learned that Sony and Bungie had resolved a plagiarism dispute over Marathon with an artist. Coincidentally, the game's original art director has now left the company.
Joseph Cross, who had a long career at Bungie spanning work across Destiny and Marathon, has left the company. Most recently, Cross had served as the art director on Marathon. As spotted by The Game Post, Cross has updated their LinkedIn profile to confirm that they are no longer working at Bungie.
Kotaku spoke with Cross after the news began spreading and learned that they left Bungie of their own accord, so there was no firing. Cross is leaving Bungie just after the company solidified the release plan for Marathon, which will now be launching in March 2026, with a $40 price tag. As plans for the final game have been locked in, the lack of art director during these final months of development should have no impact on the release.
Marathon was originally supposed to release this year but had to be delayed while the team generated new assets to avoid plagiarism issues. With this extra time, Bungie was also able to address some crucial feedback from the game's closed alpha test, adding more PvE events into the maps and adding features like proximity voice chat for better in-game communication.
KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to Marathon? I'm still hoping for an open beta early next year so I can give it a try myself.
Global analytics firm Newzoo has provided an optimistic year-in-review for 2025 in gaming. The broader global picture shows an industry on the rise, driven heavily by a resurgence in PC gaming and the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Newzoo (via VGC) projects that the global video game market will close 2025 with a total value of $197 billion, representing a healthy 7.5% increase over 2024. Although steeper than in recent years, analysts warn that looming economic factors like tariffs, the rising cost of living, and emerging memory shortages could dampen this momentum as we head into 2026.
The breakdown of this growth offers an interesting insight into current player habits. Mobile gaming remains the dominant revenue generator, expected to reach $108 billion, up 7.7% year on year. However, the PC sector has emerged as the growth leader, rising 10.4% to reach $43 billion. This expansion outpaces the console market, which is forecast to grow modestly by 4.2% to $45 billion.
According to Michiel Buijsman, Newzoo’s Chief Market Analyst, the surge in PC revenue isn't necessarily due to a sudden influx of new players, but rather existing enthusiasts spending more deeply within the ecosystems they already inhabit. The top 10 PC games by revenue in 2025 were all released in 2025, and notably, none were free-to-play titles. This list included a mix of established brands and three completely new IPs, highlighting the platform's openness to system-driven design and varied experiences.
In contrast, the console market remains heavily reliant on established familiarity. The top 10 revenue generators on console were exclusively existing franchises, with half of the list comprised of annual releases. Electronic Arts appears to be the primary beneficiary of this trend, publishing nearly half of the top-performing titles. However, the standout success on the console front is undoubtedly Pokémon Legends Z-A, which managed to crack the top rankings despite being exclusive to a single platform.
Perhaps the biggest surprise taken from the engagement data is the reversal of fortunes between the industry's two biggest shooters. While Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 ranked only in the top 10 console titles by monthly active users (MAUs), Battlefield 6 has demonstrated remarkable staying power. EA's shooter appeared across all revenue and engagement lists for both PC and console, suggesting that 2025 will go down as the year Battlefield finally reclaimed the crown from its rival.
Significant structural changes and indie success also defined the year. Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 capped off a stellar year for independent developers by sweeping The Game Awards, proving that non-AAA titles can still dominate the discourse. Meanwhile, on the corporate side, the industry is grappling with consolidation, exemplified by EA's move to take the company private.
KitGuru says: If PC growth momentum continues over the coming years, the platform has a pretty good chance of catching up to consoles. If someone said this 20 years ago, it would probably be called crazy, but today, it's closer to reality than ever.
Popularised by the likes of Spotify, most services nowadays offer their users a year-in-review of sorts, in which you can learn about your consumption habits from the past 12 months. While Xbox has offered wrap-ups for previous years, an insider is claiming that budget reallocations have led to Microsoft cancelling 2025’s Xbox year-in-review.
As reported by known insider Jez Corden, Microsoft is not planning to have their own year-in-review for 2025. While this decision is rather odd as it is unlikely to be too costly to temporarily host a site featuring stats which the console manufacturer already tracks on a daily basis, according to Corden:
“A lot of the ‘marketing budget’ that would've typically been allocated to something like an ‘Xbox Wrapped’ is being poured into efforts to celebrate [upcoming] major milestones for Xbox, its brands, and some of its games” (such as Xbox’s 25th anniversary, Blizzard’s 35th and Bethesda’s 40th).
While there is no denying that 2026 could be a big year for Microsoft, the optics of being unwilling to spend a bit of money on a community-focused wrap-up using pre-existing stats and some basic graphics is concerning to say the least.
Ahead of CES next month, Lian Li has introduced the Vector V100 MINI, a compact Micro-ATX case based on the original V100 design. The smaller form factor retains broad cooling support, with room for up to three 120mm side fans, three 120mm or two 140mm top fans, and one 120mm rear fan.
The case supports both standard and back-connect Micro-ATX motherboards. Front and side tempered glass panels provide a 270° view of the interior, while an integrated ARGB strip along the PSU shroud offers lighting control through motherboard software. Despite its reduced size, the V100 MINI accommodates high-end hardware. GPUs up to 415mm can be installed, supported by an adjustable anti-sag bracket. A cable opening in the PSU shroud helps maintain clean routing. Storage options include support for two 2.5″ SSDs or one 3.5″ HDD plus one 2.5″ SSD at the bottom, and an additional 2.5″ SSD behind the motherboard tray.
You can see the full spec sheet in the table below:
Specification
Vector V100 MINI
Vector V100R MINI
Dimensions
(D) 436 x (W) 221.5 x (H) 443.9mm
Color
Black
Material
Steel, Plastic, 4.0mm tempered glass
Motherboard Support
Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
Back Connect Motherboard
Micro-ATX
Expansion Slot
5
Storage
Behind MB Tray: 1 x 2.5” SSD
Hard Drive Cage: 2 x 2.5” SSD, or 1 x 3.5″ HDD & 1 x 2.5″ SSD
(If PSU over 150mm, only support 2.5” SSD x 1 or 3.5” HDD x 1)
GPU Length Clearance
415mm (Max)
CPU Cooler Height Clearance
163.5mm (Max)
PSU
ATX (Under 200mm)
Fan Support
Top: 120mm x 3 or 140mm x 2
Side: 120mm x 3
Bottom: 120mm x 2
Rear: 120mm x 1
Radiator Support
Top: 360 / 240
Included Fans
N/A
Side: 120mm ARGB/PWM Fan x 3
Rear: 120mm ARGB/PWM Fan x 1
I/O Ports
Power Button x 1
Reset Button x 1
USB 3.0 x 2
USB 3.1 Gen.2 Type C x 1
Audio x 1
Dust Filters
Bottom x 1
Warranty
1-Year
The Vector V100R MINI variant ships with four pre-installed 120mm ARGB PWM fans: three reverse side intakes and one rear exhaust. Both versions of the Vector 100 Mini are available starting today, priced at $49.99/€49.90 for the standard version and $64.99/€64.90 for the Vector V100R Mini.
KitGuru Says: For builders on a budget, this case checks a lot of the right boxes, with plenty of pre-installed fans and the aesthetics to match higher-end options.
If recent reports are to be believed, Lenovo is planning to announce a new handheld at CES 2026. According to a new report, the manufacturer is preparing to unveil a version of its Legion Go Gen 2 running Valve's SteamOS, making it the first Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered console running Valve's OS natively.
This development would mark Lenovo's second foray into the SteamOS ecosystem, following the Legion Go S. However, this Gen 2 model with SteamOS targets the high-end enthusiast. According to Windows Latest, the hardware configuration mirrors the Windows variant, meaning it would pack AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, featuring eight Zen 5 cores and integrated Radeon 890M graphics. This CPU is backed by up to 32GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory and a PCIe Gen4 M.2 2242 SSD with capacities up to 2TB.
The display specifications remain equally impressive, with the unit retaining the 8.8-inch PureSight OLED panel found on its Windows sibling. This screen offers a 1920×1200 resolution at a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits of peak brightness. To keep this hardware running without a wall socket, Lenovo has equipped the device with a 74Wh battery and 65W USB-C charging.
If this report proves true, then the Legion Go Gen 2 would become the first officially supported device to pair the Ryzen Z2 Extreme with SteamOS, potentially offering a significant performance leap over the current Steam Deck OLED. For now, we await official confirmation, which could arrive during CES next month.
KitGuru says: This device would offer a significantly more powerful alternative to the Steam Deck. Now we'll just have to wait and see how much it will cost.
PowerWash Simulator was a success not only thanks to its unique concept and satisfying gameplay loop, but also as a result of multiple unexpected crossovers from throughout media. It seems the team at FuturLab are utilising the same blueprint for its sequel, with the recently-released Powerwash Simulator 2 set to crossover with the popular Cartoon Network show Adventure Time.
Releasing a teaser trailer to make the announcement, the team at FuturLab confirmed that PowerWash Simulator 2’s first paid DLC will be crossing over with the popular 2010’s Cartoon Network show Adventure Time, writing:
“It's time for an adventure! No, that's not right…It's Adventure Time! Glove up those grabbers, the Candy Kingdom is covered in schmutz. Coming to PowerWash Simulator 2 Spring 2026. Get your buns over to Steam and Wishlist now.”
Very few details have been shared regarding this DLC, with the only confirmed aspect being that it will consist of 5 new levels to explore and clean up – similar to the first game. Assuming pricing remains equal too, then expect this Adventure Time DLC to cost roughly £6.50; though we will have to wait and see.
In case you missed it, FuturLab previously shared their DLC roadmap for PowerWash Simulator 2, confirming that the title will receive 3 paid DLC packs throughout 2026 (likely all crossovers) alongside 3 sets of free ‘Caldera Chronicles’ content drops.
Throughout its life, we saw PowerWash Simulator crossover with all sorts, from Final Fantasy to Shrek; Tomb Raider; SpongeBob; Back to the Future and even Wallace and Gromit. As such, expect plenty of more paid and free DLC from PowerWash Simulator 2 throughout 2026 and hopefully beyond.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the first DLC pack? Do you enjoy PowerWash Simulator’s crossovers? What game / film / TV show set would you like to power wash? Let us know down below.
Pretty much since its creation, the Epic Games Store has gone all-in on its end-of-year promotions – offering a different title for free every 24 hours leading up to the new year. With a little under two weeks to go until 2026, Epic has officially kicked off its 2025 Christmas game giveaway.
From now until the 1st of January, the Epic Games Store will be giving away a different title for free every 24 hours. Available to add to your library right now (until 4pm UK time) is Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel – an isometric arena survival rogue-like in which you “Engage in adrenaline-fueled battles, fighting off endless waves of enemies as you strive to survive. Complete various objectives, defeat the final boss, and earn the ultimate prizes.”
Featuring multiple playable characters, meta progression, unlockable perks and more, there is plenty to enjoy with Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel.
As mentioned, Epic is offering a new game for free every 24 hours and so come 4PM today, Jotunnslayer will be replaced by an as-of-yet-unknown title. With pleasing visuals, fun looking gameplay and a price tag of ‘free’ however, there is no reason not to add Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel to your library.
KitGuru says: Will you be checking out the Epic Games Store each day? Had you heard of Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel previously? What game have you been holding out on, hoping it’ll come to Epic? Let us know down below.
Today we are reviewing the hotly-anticipated ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQWMG. Announced back at Gamescom 2025, this screen is packing in the latest 4th Gen Tandem OLED panel from LG, promising a wide range of improvements compared to previous generations. On top of that, ASUS has fitted what it calls a ‘TrueBlack Glossy' coating, designed to offer a ‘zero-haze' finish while maintaining true black depth. There's a lot to talk about, so let's dive into the review.
Starting off with the 4th Gen panel from LG, this utilises Primary RGB Tandem technology, which basically means a new 4-layer stack compared to the 3-layer stack of prior panel generations. This offers three key benefits, being higher brightness, wider colour gamut and also significantly increased lifespan.
The panel itself is ‘only' a 1440p 280Hz spec, so it's not pushing boundaries in the same way as the 500+Hz OLEDs that are hitting the market, but it's still a very capable spec. That lower refresh also means pricing is perhaps surprisingly affordable for a monitor using the latest generation of panel, with this model listed at Scan for £520, putting it in very similar territory to most 1440p 240Hz OLEDs.
Specification:
Panel size: 26.5″
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Color space (DCI-P3): 99.5%
Panel type: WOLED
Resolution: 2560×1440
Display viewing area (HxV): 590.42 x 331.88 mm
Display surface: Glossy (TrueBlack Glossy)
Pixel pitch: 0.229mm
Brightness (HDR peak): 1,500 cd/㎡
Contrast ratio (typ): 1,500,000:1
Viewing angle (CR≧10): 178°/178°
Response time: 0.03ms (GTG)
Color accuracy: △E < 2
Display colors: 1.07B (10-bit)
Flicker-free: Yes
HDR support: HDR10
Refresh rate (max): 280Hz
ASUS OLED Care: Yes
GamePlus: Yes
Game Visual: Yes
VRR technology: Yes (Adaptive-Sync)
Extreme Low Motion Blur: Yes
DisplayWidget: Yes (DisplayWidget Center)
GameFast Input technology: Yes
Shadow Boost: Yes
Aspect control: Yes
A.I. Assistant technology: AI Visual, Dynamic Crosshair, Dynamic Shadow Boost
DisplayPort 1.4 DSC: 1x
HDMI 2.1 (FRL): 2x
Earphone jack: Yes
USB hub: 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
Speakers: No
Digital signal frequency: HDMI 30–480 KHz (H) / 41–280 Hz (V); DP 480–480 KHz (H) / 41–280 Hz (V)
Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winners today are Steven Hunter, Jonathan Ruelle and Ari Ray. If you missed out this time then keep an eye out as we still have plenty more giveaways left for December. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.
For Day 19 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar we have teamed up with Netac to give THREE lucky winners an SSD upgrade! Each winner today will receive a Netac NV150HK M.2 NVMe SSD.
The Netac NV150HK is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 NVMe SSD offering extreme performance with sequential read speeds up to 14,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 13,000 MB/s. It also features DRAM and SLC caching, as well as intelligent thermal control for stability and heat dissipation.
How to Enter:
To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – What is the first game you would install on your brand new SSD?
This competition is open worldwide.
The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 20th, and a new competition will be announced for Day 20. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.
Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide, starting at 11AM GMT on December 19th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 20th. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.
KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 20!
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